£13 million upgrade announced for M27 between Portsmouth and Southampton

A £13 million project to upgrade Junction 9 of the M27 between Portsmouth and Southampton has been announced as part of a government programme to boost new homes and jobs across the country.

The improvements will deliver a comprehensive package of improvements to the junction and the immediate local road network, and aims to support up to 3,500 homes and up to 250 jobs in the Solent area, particularly the substantial development site at North Whiteley.

It will be the first project in the southeast of England to benefit from Highways England’s ‘Growth and Housing’ fund — a special budget ring-fenced for road improvements needed for planned major developments.

The Solent scheme is part of a £45.5 million nationwide package being announced today — Monday 14th August 2017 — that is set to help unlock the development of more than 6,000 jobs and nearly 10,000 homes in Leicestershire and the southeast.

Highways England is making a £19.9 million contribution towards the schemes from their ‘Growth and Housing’ fund, with private sector developer contributions and other public funding making up the rest.

The £100 million ‘Growth and Housing’ fund was set up as part of the government’s £15 billion investment in roads and provides financial contributions towards the cost of road improvements that are needed for new developments, which promise timely delivery of homes and jobs.

Highways England chief executive Jim O’Sullivan said: “England’s strategic roads are vital for economic success, connecting businesses, people, and supporting the government’s agenda of employment and growth. All of these improvements and future upcoming announcements will ultimately ensure England’s major roads continue to make a valuable contribution to the prosperity of our country.”

The £220m Congestion Relief Fund announced during the autumn statement has also played its part in underpinning economic growth, by providing additional funding to the Junction 9 scheme. This additional funding will help to tackle congestion in the local area and improve connectivity.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “The Whiteley Way junction upgrade is part of our record investment in infrastructure across the country to improve journeys for motorists. It will cut congestion on the M27, help unlock thousands of much-needed houses, and boost Hampshire’s economy.”

The three schemes announced today are:

• M27, Junction 9, Whitley Way: up to 3,500 homes and up to 250 jobs — £9.9 million Growth and Housing Fund/£3 million Highways England Congestion Relief Fund. This scheme is being delivered by Hampshire County Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership under the terms of a grant funding agreement. It is the first scheme to be supported by this fund in the South East
• Anstey Lane (A46/A560) up to 2,378 homes and around 260 jobs — £5million Growth and Housing Fund/£2.8million private developers. This scheme will be delivered by Leicestershire County Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership is Leicester and Leicestershire
• M1 junction 23, up to 4,000 homes and 5,600 jobs — £5 million Growth and Housing Fund/£10 million private funding/£3.2 million local growth fund. This scheme will be delivered by Leicestershire County Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership is Leicester and Leicestershire

Highways England’s Growth and Housing Fund has so far made contributions of over £60 million to 16 improvements to unlock over 30,000 new homes and more than 40,000 jobs around Swindon, Exeter, Weston Super Mare, Darlington, Scunthorpe, Grantham, Warrington, Honiton, Derby, Foxdenton (Oldham), Taunton, Durham, Daventry, Leicester, and Southampton.